The NEXT Academy

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael revisits the Golden Gate Bridge build and how Chief Engineer Joseph Strauss' unseen safety net saved lives and redefined success. Discover why great leaders invest in protections no one applauds—putting people before progress, designing safety into the work, and turning honest signals into stronger results.Enjoy Episode 36 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

When the clock is ticking and the AHJ is waiting, great crews don't panic—they prepare. In this episode, you'll learn a fast, field-tested playbook for high-stakes moments: a five-minute pre-mortem (hat tip Gary Klein), a simple Risks-Signals-Actions board (Karl Weick), a 60-second challenge-response checklist (Atul Gawande), intent-based leadership you can use today (“I intend to…”), and a two-minute After Action Review. Foremen, supers, and craft leads will walk away with tools to cut rework, steady shutdowns, and keep schedules honest—without the drama. If you run work under pressure, this is your edge. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What part of yourself can you embrace more fully today...aka Hugging the Cactus... and how might that help you become the person you are meant to be?" Enjoy Episode 34 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael revisits Abraham Lincoln's unsent letter to General Meade—a quiet act of restraint that protected dignity and kept the mission on course. Hear how pausing before you press “send” can turn reaction into leadership, preserving trust while focusing energy on the next right decision!Enjoy Episode 35 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

Speaking up shouldn't be a career risk. In this episode of Hard Hat Headspace, we step onto a high-stakes healthcare build where a rookie's question prevents a costly mistake—because the foreman has hardwired “If you see it, say it.” You'll learn field-ready moves: two-question safety openers, 120-second micro-debriefs, and visible close-the-loop boards that turn near-misses into next-day wins. Backed by insights popularized by Harvard's Amy Edmondson and reinforced by FMI/HBR research, plus jobsite spotlights where candor and standards live side by side, this episode shows crews how to pair trust with teeth—and why that combo delivers safer, faster, better work. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you serve others today, and how might that act of giving bring you a deeper sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 33 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael revisits the Johnson & Johnson's 1982 Tylenol crisis and the moment CEO Jim Burke pointed to the Credo, choosing people over profit with a full recall and radical transparency. Learn how values-first decisions, telling the whole truth fast, and innovating as part of the apology can turn a reputational freefall into a trust-building inflection point.Enjoy Episode 34 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

Noise isn't the problem—confusion is. In this episode, we follow a superintendent who turns hallway chaos into clean handoffs using a 30-second clarity test (3W1H: What, Why, Who, How), micro-updates (7 a.m., lunch, close-out), and simple visuals—taped zones, QR-linked specs, and bright RFI tags. You'll get field-ready scripts that any foreman, super, or craft lead can use to cut rework and keep flow. This is the episode that helps your directions land the first time—because if a first-day apprentice can repeat it, the message can move. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one area of your life where you can let go of control, and how might that bring you more peace and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 32 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Before 7:00 a.m., your day is already won—or lost. In this kickoff to Hard Hat Headspace, we step onto the jobsite with a foreman who turns a shaky morning into a smooth-flowing shift using a two-minute huddle, a visible plan, and a no-drama constraint log. Keeping with the foundation of The NEXT Academy, this episode is backed by insights from FMI, McKinsey, and Harvard Business Review. You'll get field-ready tactics (3W1H, make-ready checks, quick visual boards) that boost productivity, safety, and morale. If you lead crews—foremen, supers, or craft pros—this episode is your playbook to win the day before it starts. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael takes us to a chaotic hospital jobsite, where a superintendent turns blue painter's tape into a daily ritual that transforms blame into fixes and stalled schedules into momentum. Discover how making work visible, shrinking problems to “tomorrow-sized” steps, and elevating frontline voices can reset a project's culture—and your leadership.Enjoy Episode 33 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What unanswered questions in your life can you embrace with patience, and how might that perspective bring you greater fulfillment along your journey?" Enjoy Episode 31 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael relives the Berlin Airlift through Lieutenant Gail “Hal” Halvorsen's heart‑lifting “Candy Parachutes” and shows how a pocketful of gum reshaped an entire mission's morale. This episode reveals why small acts of empathy and creativity can ripple into large‑scale change, teaching leaders to deliver hope alongside the essentials.Enjoy Episode 32 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you shift your mindset today to focus on positive thoughts, and how might that shift impact your sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 30 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Hot Wire is a new series that dives deep into complex leadership challenges on construction sites and offers tangible solutions to explore as you face these obstacles head on. In today's episode, Alex takes a look at navigating strategic decision-making in high-stakes construction projects. How do you make sound, high-level decisions in an industry known for its unpredictability? Let's find out.Enjoy Episode 9 of Hot Wire. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael follows Mei's five‑year vigil over a seemingly barren patch of soil that suddenly erupts into a ninety‑foot bamboo grove, revealing the power of unseen growth. Discover why patience, daily consistency, and faith in long‑term vision are the leadership roots that eventually shoot sky‑high.Enjoy Episode 31 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What imperfections in your life can you embrace today, and how might accepting them lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 29 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael recounts how Japanese consul Chiune Sugihara defied orders in 1940 to handwrite thousands of life‑saving visas for Jewish refugees, sacrificing his career to uphold a deeper moral code. Tune in to explore what his “Visas at Dawn” teach us about choosing values over directives, acting with urgency, and paying personal costs for the sake of others' futures.Enjoy Episode 30 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you practice being more present in your daily life, and how might that enhance your sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 28 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael takes us to Antarctica as Ernest Shackleton's doomed Endurance expedition shows how unwavering optimism and people-first promises can steer teams through the harshest storms. Discover practical lessons on rewriting goals to safeguard your crew, sustaining morale when plans shatter, and delivering on the commitments that define true leadership.Enjoy Episode 29 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you be more intentional in nurturing your relationships, and what small act of kindness can you offer someone today?" Enjoy Episode 27 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael relives Kathrine Switzer's historic 1967 Boston Marathon run and the dramatic moment she refused to be pushed off the course—literally—by those who said women didn't belong. Hear how her courage, allied support, and relentless advocacy transformed one daring finish into a movement that rewrote the rulebook for runners everywhere.Enjoy Episode 28 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you shift your perspective today to find more meaning and fulfillment in the ordinary moments of your life?" Enjoy Episode 26 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael revisits the harrowing Apollo 13 crisis to reveal how Gene Kranz and his team turned chaos into collaboration with nothing but calm focus, duct tape, and collective ingenuity. Tune in to discover leadership lessons on steadying a room, sparking creativity under constraints, and harnessing shared ownership when everything is on the line.Enjoy Episode 27 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you embrace change in your life right now, and what new opportunities might it bring for your growth and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 25 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Hot Wire is a new series that dives deep into complex leadership challenges on construction sites and offers tangible solutions to explore as you face these obstacles head on. In today's episode, Alex tackles a topic that has sent shockwaves through the industry over the last few years: supply chain disruptions. How do you, as a leader, not only survive these disruptions but turn them into an opportunity to build resilience into your operations.Enjoy Episode 8 of Hot Wire. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael celebrates Ava, the unassuming second violinist whose quiet mastery turns a good orchestra into something unforgettable. Tune in to discover why true leadership often lives in the harmony of support, anticipation, and purposeful service.Enjoy Episode 26 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you take an active role in creating the life you want, rather than waiting for the right circumstances to appear?" Enjoy Episode 24 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael explores the story of a quiet carpenter who became the bridge others needed in a moment of fear and uncertainty. Discover how real leadership is built not on titles, but on the courage to go first and the strength to help others follow.Enjoy Episode 25 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one step outside your comfort zone that you can take today to expand your life and move closer to the happiness you ultimately desire?" Enjoy Episode 23 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael uncovers the quiet wisdom of a school janitor whose keys unlock more than just doors — they reveal the heart of authentic leadership. Discover how listening, learning, and valuing every voice can transform a culture from the inside out.Enjoy Episode 24 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you find a balance between effort and rest in your life, and how might that balance lead to greater fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 22 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael explores how quiet actions in tough moments can define great leadership through the story of “The Broken Brick.” Discover why empathy, presence, and shared responsibility matter more than perfection on any team.Enjoy Episode 23 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one way you can focus more on the present moment today, and how might it bring you a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 21 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Hot Wire is a new series that dives deep into complex leadership challenges on construction sites and offers tangible solutions to explore as you face these obstacles head on. In today's episode, Mark dives into a challenge that's reshaping the future of construction—offsite and modular construction. Enjoy Episode 7 of Hot Wire. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael shares the story of Grace Darling. This episode highlights the importance of leading from the front. The people around you — your team, your family, your community — they're watching. Waiting. Hoping someone will LEAD. Be that someone.Enjoy Episode 22 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What challenge in your life can you embrace as an opportunity for growth, and how might it lead to greater fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 20 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael shares a story of "the empty chair." This episode highlights the importance of leadership and a sustained focus on those not in the room. The client, the end user, the field team, the future hire...your decision-making should always focus on that empty chair.Enjoy Episode 21 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you practice more self-compassion today, and how might embracing your true self lead to greater fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 19 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael shares a story of coal miners who were trapped in complete darkness. This episode highlights the importance of leadership, because like a lantern, it shines brightest when it's passed on.Enjoy Episode 20 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one way you can focus on personal growth today to become the kind of person who naturally attracts success and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 18 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael shares a simple tale… about a boy, a fence, and the power of what we leave behind. This episode highlights the importance of your next step because it shapes the path for someone else.Enjoy Episode 19 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one area of your life where you can focus on progress instead of perfection... And how might that shift bring you greater fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 17 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Hot Wire is a new series that dives deep into complex leadership challenges on construction sites and offers tangible solutions to explore as you face these obstacles head on. In today's episode, Mark takes a look at an issue that can make or break a construction company—the accuracy and ethics of estimating and bidding.Enjoy Episode 6 of Hot Wire. #BeNEXT

In our new series Insights, go inside Class 9 of NEXT PM. In this short segment, Rachel highlights construction budgeting and explains how the most successful projects build their budgets in phases—each one tied to a growing level of project clarity. Enjoy the Insights and #BeNEXT.To learn more about NEXT PM, please visit our website at ⁠www.nextleadershipacademy.org/pm

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael shares the story of Cleveland Guardians Manager, Stephen Vogt and his wise words for leaders. This episode highlights clarity, courage, and the discipline to move forward... that's what separates the good from the great.Enjoy Episode 18 of The Goods. #BeNEXT #Starbucks #MLB #PeteCarroll

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you take action today, even if you don't feel motivated, to move closer to the life you truly want?" Enjoy Episode 16 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, James shares the story of his time on the Limehouse Basin. This story illustrates the importance of building a strong foundation to withstand all of life's storms. Enjoy Episode 17 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one step outside your comfort zone that you can take today, and how might it lead to new opportunities for growth and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 15 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, James shares the story of "The Girl in the Yellow Dress." This story illustrates the importance of #trust in not only relationships but life. You must trust others and be someone that others can trust in 2025 to get where you ultimately want to go! Enjoy Episode 16 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you embrace growth in your life right now... and what is one change you can turn into an opportunity for personal development?" Enjoy Episode 14 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT